Category Archives: Commodities

Book Review: “Caps Lock” (Capitalism and Graphic Design)

Design serves capitalism by devising abstract forms.

In Amish Country, an Unlikely Partnership With Beef Giant JBS Roils Community

Big Ag comes for the Amish.

Industrial Policy: Lessons from China’s Shipbuilding

A study of China’s shipbuilding industrial policy finds big market share gains did not produce domestic welfare benefits.

The Cash Will Soon Flow

Robbing Africa’s riches to save the climate (and power AI).

BRICS and De-Dollarization: An Alternative or Potential Disaster?

A discussion of some proposals for the BRICS de-dollarization project, suggesting a lack of convergence of ideas among key players.

The West’s Blunders Help Fuel Russia’s Far East Development

A tip of the cap to the geniuses at the US State Department.

Putin Calls for Sanctions Revenge, Threatens to Cap Uranium Exports

Russia is considering restricting commodities exports such as uranium to what it has called “unfriendly” countries.

China’s Rare Earth Restrictions Shake Up Global Markets

The US ceding its once-dominant position in rare earths comes back to bite, as China uses rare earths to retaliate against US sanctions.

Why US Belligerence Towards Russia Is Likely to Continue No Matter Who Is President

Biden might be senile and Blinken stupid, but it’s the plutocrats and their think tanks that run the show in Washington.

Electric Vehicle Revolution Stalls, Leaving Metal Markets in Limbo

Another sober take on near and perhaps intermediate-term electric vehicle prospects.

The New Curse of Critical Minerals

An updated look at the classic resource curse.

Michael Hudson: Agricultural Imperialism in the EU

How the US has used control over the supply of key agricultural commodities to defend its hegemony.

Carbon Capture Will Extend Oil Production by 84 Years, Industry Study Finds

A Canadian oil field that should have shut down in 2016 can now keep producing oil until 2100.

Italy Pipes Up Against NATO Escalation as Court Ruling Could Cut Off Russian Gas Sooner Than Expected

Italy also faces major energy squeeze from Red Sea crisis. Will opposition to Project Ukraine solidify or will Rome go along as it usually does?

Nuclear Energy: The New Geopolitical Battleground

The Collective West scrambles to replace Russia as a source of nuclear fuel and services.